--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young, Levi Edgar collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 23 number: 11 published: 1920-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young, Levi Edgar, "Sociological Aspects of “Mormonism”," *Improvement Era* 23, no. 11 (September 1920): 953–959.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera23011unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera23011unse start_page: 953 end_page: 959 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera23011unse publication_year: 1920 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Sociological Aspects of “Mormonism” SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF "MORMONISM" 955 realized the economic necessity of transportation for their products. The foundation of all early-day social life in Utah was the family. Distance between the villages brought about a desire for large families and the most fortunate parents were they who had the largest number of children. All the girls of the household helped about the housekeeping; men went in the fields and tilled the garden. In all of the more early "Mormon" homes there was, as a rule, plenty of food and firewood. The records of many of these old homes show that the people had a high regard for social life, and visitors from neighboring towns were always made welcome. Children were disciplined and taught that obedience to law and order is one of the first fundamentals of good life. They were taught to be polite, and though living on the frontier, there was a social culture planted in the hearts of the youth which we see expressed today in some of the descendants of the pioneer people. Children were not looked upon as a burden in early days. They were the joys of life. The families had in the children the elements of the greatest happiness; and the "Mormon" father and mother realized right well their responsibility in rearing their children in the paths of truth and rectitude. The "Mormon" family held rigidly to the old Hebraic teaching that the child owes his life to three persons: to God, to his father, and to his mother. Each household was essentially religious. Family prayers were not forgotten, and the boys and girls were constantly admonished to live up to the principles of the gospel of Christ which the fathers had so valiantly lived and fought for. In nearly every home there was a library. As early as 1846 Brigham Young admonished the people that when they left their old homes in Nauvoo they take with them into the West all of the available materials for knowledge possible. They were to carry good books and writing materials, and every family had its copy of the Holy Bible. The "Mormons" were essentially readers of history and philosophy, and from the first, every pioneer family made it a point to bring at least a few books with them that they might "use them to improve their knowledge and to bring them nearer to God by their faith and study." Children were always blessed when they were named. Lorenzo D. Young says in his journal, December 23, 1847: "Martha took dinner with us today and after dinner Brother Smith blessed our little Lorenzo. The day was spent in social chat and singing and prayer; and my house was dedicated to the Lord." Stoves were brought to the valley by the companies of 956 IMPROVEMENT ERA '47 but in many of the early homes the old-fashioned fireplace took the place of the stove, although by 1852 iron was manufactured in Southern Utah and from this stoves were made. Tallow dips were used for light and the furniture was made from the lumber brought from the canyons. The women picked corn and gathered the vegetables; they dried apples and made them into sauce, and berry preserves were put in large crocks covered with paper which prevented the fruit from fermenting. In the outlying districts where supplies were irregular, families lived on smoked and salted meat and potatoes. Dry land beans were planted and squashes and potatoes were extensively used for food. In some places, particularly in the northern part of the state, fish abounded and were used for food. Nearly all the meats, vegetables and fruits became common to the settlements after 1850. In the best homes, beef, mutton, pork, bacon, and smoked and dried fish were eaten as well as cheese and butter. And a few vegetables, cabbages, corn, onions, squashes, pumpkins, beans, and peas soon became common to every garden. Seed potatoes were brought to the valley in 1847 and when Saint George was settled water melons and cantaloups were cultivated extensively. Apple trees, pear trees, peaches, apricots and plums were brought from California in the '50's and even orange trees were planted but their cultivation was not successful. Vineyards were a source for delicious grapes; and strawberries, blackberries, and gooseberries were cultivated. Among the most beautiful gardens in early days was that of Heber C. Kimball on North Main Street. Liquor in early days was seldom used in the homes. Cider became a popular beverage, however; in the south grape wir was made. In no instance have we found colonists giving strong drink to the Indians. Music was a popular diversion in the homes and organs were brought to the state in 1848. All the pioneer companies had musical instruments of some kind; either the spinnet, the violin, the harpsichord, the guitar, jewsharp, the flute, and in every ward there was a choir which furnished music on all occasions in the meetinghouse. In the family of the early days, there was manifested an economic independence seldom found today. The family reached its maximum of economic self-efficiency. The head of the household surrounded himself with his wife and children, and they all tended the flocks, learned how to weave and dye the wool, and raise their simple agricultural products. Each family learned how to live well on the products of its own toil. There was a sharing of responsibility and of work, which was the cause of mutual respect and devotion. "Willingness to make mutual sacrifices and the power of adjustment to others' needs grew out of this necessity for sharing in the income and sub- SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF "MORMONISM" 957 ordinating one's desires to those of the family as a whole." The economic conditions provided the real educational opportunities. In modern institutions, the child becomes weaker in that it is not taught to subordinate its personal good to the needs of the family. In early-day homes, the father passed on to his son, the knowledge of his work and problems, and the mother, "the secrets of the household craft." There was a background of love, music and books, and an intelligent interest in the things of the day. The home was the chief educational institution and the personality of the child was developed. When trials and sorrows came to the pioneer homes, the parents and children met them bravely and with implicit faith in God. There was no despair; no complaining. A unity of purpose was manifested, and a spirit of hope that gave strength and understanding to all. When the husbands told their wives and children that an army of United States soldiers was coming to Utah in 1857, they united in one common cause and purpose, and resolved to live and die together if called upon to do so; but there was no surrendering of their dreams and ambitions to establish their homes in the tops of the mountains. When the "move" came, a little eleven-year old child of that day wrote We packed all we had in father's one wagon and waited for the command to leave. At night we lay down to sleep not knowing when word would come of the army which we thought was coming to destroy us. Mother went about the house placing everything in order and mending every bit of clothing we could find, for we knew that the time would come when we might be in great need of food and clothing. There were seven of us children in the family. We put away all our playthings, for the days found us so frightened that all we did was to follow father and mother from place to place, looking into their faces for a word of comfort and a look of cheer. One morning father told us that we should leave with a large company in the evening. He said little more. There was packing and the making of bread. Along in the middle of the day father scattered leaves and straw in all the rooms and through my tears I heard him say, "Never mind, little daughter, this home has sheltered us, it shall never shelter them." I did not understand him then, but as we went out of the yard and joined all the other people on the main road I learned for the first time that the city was to be burned should the approaching army attack the people. That night we camped on Willow Creek in the south end of the Valley and at ten o'clock every soul with bowed head knelt in prayer to God.- As I dropped to sleep I heard my mother whispering that the Lord had heard our prayers and that our homes should not be burned. I cried and cried, but at last I dropped to sleep. Captain Howard Stansbury who, with his men, spent the winter of 1849-50 in Salt Lake City, had every opportunity to study early day conditions among the "Mormons." In his re- 958 IMPROVEMENT ERA port to the United States government, published in 1853, he had this to say about the social and family life of the "Mormon" people: The cheerful, happy faces, the self-sacrificed countenances, the cordial salutation of brother or sister on all occasions of address, the lively strains of music pouring forth from merry hearts in every domicile, as women and children sing their "songs of Zion," while plying the domestic tasks, give an expression of a happy society in the vales of Deseret. They have determined to keep themselves distinct from the vices of civilization. During a residence of ten weeks in Great Salt Lake City, and my observations in all their various settlements, it is worthy of record that I never heard any obscene or improper language, never saw a man drunk, never had my attention called to the exhibition of vice of any sort. There are no gambling houses, grog shops, or houses of ill-fame in all their settlements. They preach morality in their churches and from their stands, and, what is as strange as it is true, their people practice it, and religiously believe their salvation depends upon fulfiling the behests of the religion which they have adopted. A liquor law, enforced pretty strictly, compels sobriety, which virtue is, therefore, no subject for praise. Swearing, at least blasphemous swearing, in the public streets, is prohibited under pain of a five-dollar fine for each offense; the fine is scarcely ever imposed, but violation of the law is uncommon, and very rarely in public or private life do you hear an oath. Theft, even in petty things, such as vegetables and fuel, is prevented, not by prosecution, but by the known rule, that if a man steals two or three times he is ordered to become honest or leave the country for good. Not that "Mormons" ever pretend that there are no bad men among them; nay, agreeable to their principles, they will tell you that a "Mormon," if bad, will be worse than other men, because he sins against greater light and knowledge, and after receiving the Spirit of God. Confirmatory of this, I have met at Salt Lake with two or three very proper scoundrels; but, taking the people all around, I consider them as moral, industrious, fair-dealing and hospitable a set as one is apt to fall in with. In social parties and lively meetings the "Mormons" are pre-eminent, and their hospitality would be more readily extended to strangers had they suitable dwellings to invite them into. In their social gatherings and evening parties, patronized by the presence of the prophets and apostles, it is not unusual to open the ball with prayers, asking the blessings of God on their amusements, as well as upon any other engagement; and then will follow the most sprightly dancing, in which all join with hearty good will, from the highest dignitary to the humblest individual; and this exercise is to become part of the temple-worship, to "praise God in song and dances." Their admirable system of combining labor, while each has his own jiroperty, in lands and tenements, and the proceeds of his industry, the skill in dividing off the lands, and the conducting the irrigating canals to supply the want of rain, which rarely falls between April and October ; the cheerful manner in which every one applies himself industriously, but not laboriously; the complete reign of good neighborhood and quiet house and fields, form themes for admiration to the stranger coming from the dark and sterile recesses of the mountain gorges into this flourishing valley; and he is struck with wonder at the immense results, produced in so short a time, by a handful of individuals. This is the result of the guidance of all those hands by one master mind; and we see a comfortable people residing where, it is not too much to say, the ordinary mode of subduing and settling our wild lands could never have been applied. SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF "MORMONISM" 959 Nothing can exceed the appearance of prosperity, peaceful harmony, and cheerful contentment that pervaded the whole community. Ever since the first year of privation, provisions have been abundant, and want of the necessaries and even the comforts of life are unknown. A design was at one time entertained (more, I believe, as a prospective measure than anything else) to set apart a fund for the purpose of erecting a poorhouse; but, after strict inquiry it was found that there were in the whole population but two persons who could be considered objects of public charity, and the plan was consequently abandoned. This happy external state of universally diffused prosperity, is commented on by themselves as an evidence of the smiles of heaven, and of the special favor of the Deity; but I think it may be most clearly accounted for in the admirable discipline and ready obedience of a large body of industrious and intelligent men, and in the wise counsels of prudent and sagacious leaders, producing a oneness and concentration of action, the result of which has astonished even those by whom it has been effected. The happy consequences of this system of united and well directed action, under one leading and controlling, mind, is most prominently apparent in the erection of public buildings, opening of roads, the construction of bridges, and the preparation of the country for the speedy occupation of a large and rapidly growing population, shortly to be still further augmented by an immigration even now on its way from almost every country in Europe. The first Christmas spent by the Pioneers in Utah was one of thanksgiving. Food was scarce, and most of the people were housed in the Old Fort. While the winter was a mild one, there was intense suffering, especially among the women and children. There was a Christmas spirit on the twenty-fifth of December in the camp of the Pioneers. There were no Christmas gifts as we have them today, but there was the larger thought of good will and mutual helpfulnes. Everybody was ready to help and share. The finer instincts of religion and morals were manifested in clean thoughts and good deeds. Says one of the young girls of that day: . I remember our first Christmas in the valley. We all worked as usual. The men gathered sagebrush and some even plowed, for though it had snowed, the ground was still soft, and the plows were used nearly the entire day. Christmas came on Saturday. We celebrated the day on the Sabbath, when all gathered around the flag pole in the center of the fort, and there we held meeting. And what a meeting it was! We sang praise to God, we all joined in the opening prayer, and the speaking that day has always been remembered. There were words of thanksgiving and cheer. Not an unkind word was uttered. The people were hopeful, and buoyant because of their faith in the great work they were undertaking. After the meeting, there was handshaking all around. Some wept wit!i joy, the children played in the enclosure, and around a sagebrush fire that night, we gathered and sang: Come, come, ye Saints, No toil, nor labor fear, But with joy, wend your way. That day, we had boiled rabbit and a little bread for our dinner. Father had shot some rabbits, and it was a feast we had. All had enough 960 IMPROVEMENT ERA to eat. In the sense of perfect peace and good will, I never had a happier Christmas in all my life. In the pioneer homes and towns of Utah, the Christmas day was always fittingly celebrated. And in those far gone days, the children were taught to appreciate any little gift. There was no store full of toys, as we have them today. Sometimes a man gave a beaver skin or a buffalo robe to his wife and children. The gift made all happy". Often the head of a household provided venison and wild fowl for a feast, and all shared, and neighbors were invited to partake. There was no selfishness, no envy, no bigotry. People did not hold themselves aloof from others. There was a social equality and regard for one another, that was sincere and spiritual. They were people who not only knew the truth, they were people of the truth. On Christmas day, they had the real Christmas spirit. It was the day of Christ to them, and in every gift, there was the expression of the love and good will of the giver. Children did not have every whim pacified; they were satisfied with any little plaything, and the dissatisfaction seen among the young people today, was absent from the home and school. There was manifested a joy in living, and when they prayed they felt God's watchful care; when they worked, they knew of his helpful presence. Attuued Sing freely, my Birdling, my Joy-Bird, For O, at the sound of thy voice, The leaves are atremble with gladness, The streams in the woodland rejoice. From morn until rosyhued twilight, (When thy song is a lullaby crooned) Deny not my wish to be near thee And sweetly attuned. Be constant, my Birdling, my Joy-Bird, No doubting nor grieving let mar The note of thine innocent measure; Thine echoing strains float afar, 'Mid winter's most wildly-blown snow-drifts, Or safe in the vale summer-nooned, Thy song in all climes would I cherish, Still sweetly attuned. I ask not, O glory-sent Joy-bird Smooth path-ways untempered with pain, Nor yet that my skies ne'er be clouded Dissolving in merciful rain, All seasons, both Autumn and Vernal, One token I prize Heaven-booned, To list to thy Hope-Song Eternal, And sweetly attuned. Minnie Iverson Hodapp. Photos by D. C. Retsloff, San Diego, Cal. SEA AND LAND IN SUNNY SAN DIEGO Top: Caves at La Jolla on the Pacific Ocean Bottom: Among the Live Oaks of San Diego